Episode 2.17: Rosetta

In this episode of Smallville Clark hears the key to his ship calling to him. When he places the key into the wall of the caves it downloads the Kryptonian language into him. When he uncontrollably burns the Kryptonian symbol for ‘Hope’ into the wall of his barn, it brings him to the attention of Doctor Virgil Swann, a man who may be able to unlock the answers to many of Clark’s questions about his origins.

Like the last episode, Rosetta is free from meteor freaks, relying on the main characters to drive the story forward. In many ways this particular episode should not work, simply because we all know the origin of Clark Kent, the alien from the doomed planet Krypton. We do not learn anything new about the destruction of his home planet. But the reason this episode works is that we get to see how these revelations about Krypton affect, not just Clark, but Jonathan and Martha too. They are all too aware that Clark is not their own flesh and blood and their reluctance to let Clark delve into his past is motivated by the fear that they might one day lose him.

The idea that Clark might have been sent to earth to rule is nicely counterbalanced with Jonathan’s insistence that he was raised by human parents, and that he will always be able to choose his own destiny.

The inclusion of Christopher Reeve as Virgil Swann is a welcome piece of casting. The role is substantial enough to not seem too much like a gimmick. The use of the Superman music from the original Richard Donner movie is also a moment of brilliance that sends a shiver of excitement down the spine.

10/10